In the wake of precision airstrikes on nine terror targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), former Army chief General Manoj Naravane delivered a sharp message on X: “Abhi picture baki hai.” His remark followed India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a calculated cross-border offensive aimed at dismantling the infrastructure of terror outfits behind recent attacks — including the April 22 Pahalgam strike that killed 26 people, among them a Nepali citizen.
Abhi picture baki hai…
— Manoj Naravane (@ManojNaravane) May 7, 2025
Senior defence journalist Nitin A. Gokhale also alluded to further action, posting: “Op Sindoor. First phase done. More coming? Who knows.”
According to top security officials, the overnight operation eliminated over 80 terrorists and struck nine high-value locations linked to proscribed groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. Among the most impactful hits were in Bahawalpur — a JeM bastion — where 25 to 30 terrorists were reportedly killed, and **Muridke**, the ideological base of LeT, where the Masjid wa Markaz Taiba was targeted with similar casualty figures.
Other targets included launch pads, training camps, and radicalisation centres — all affiliated with internationally sanctioned terror groups.
In its official statement, the Indian government emphasised the precision and restraint of the operation: “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in target selection and execution.”
The statement further underlined India’s intent: “We are living up to our commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
Following the strikes, the Indian Army released a short video with the message: “Justice is served.”
Pakistan, however, claimed that eight civilians, including a child, were killed in the strikes and labelled the operation a “blatant act of war.” Indian intelligence agencies are still assessing the total number of casualties, but early estimates suggest between 80 and 90 terrorists were neutralised.
Operation Sindoor is being seen as India’s most assertive cross-border response since the 2019 Balakot strike — a clear signal of its evolving doctrine in dealing with cross-border terrorism.